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The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Columnists

13. Song Kyung-jin

Cabinet reshuffle and appointing right people urgently needed

There are many factors pushing President Yoon Suk Yeol to expedite a reshuffle of the presidential office and cabinet to restore discipline in the government. Such pressing factors include the sluggish economy, increasing difficulty in the people’s livelihoods and a series of wrong political decisions, including the failure to host World Expo 2030. More than a month has passed since Yoon expressed his intention to reshuffle his office and cabinet. As people’s patience is wearing thinner over things progressing ata snail's pace, Yoon should deliver his promise as soon as possible, so as not f...

2023-12-04 16:00

Korea's Carbon-Free Alliance should complement other climate initiatives

This summer was hotter and longer than usual. Summer-like weather continued even during the Chuseok holiday when the weather usually cools. It was a wake-up call for many experiencing climate change firsthand to pay attention to rapid climate change response and specific measures.

2023-10-03 16:35

Multilateralism must still prevail in face of global problems

The news of Joe Biden and Xi Jinping skipping the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Sept. 5-7 and of Xi Jinping's absence at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Sept. 9-10, disappointed the world, which is already much fragmented.

2023-09-05 16:35

Sustainable population policy for sustainable growth

On July 25, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its updated World Economic Outlook. It adjusted the global economic growth rate upward to 3 percent from 2.8 percent in its April forecast. The growth rate of the Korean economy for the same period was revised down to 1.4 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the April forecast of 1.5 percent. Last year, the global share of the Korean economy fell to 1.7 percent, dropping to 13th from the previous 10th position. It is predicted to decrease to 1.6 percent by 2028.

2023-08-01 16:35

A note for global joint R&D center for critical minerals

Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to China drew keen attention from around the world, as did U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China last month. Secretary Yellen said at her press conference that the relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China, which collectively represents about 40 percent of the global economy, is one of the most consequential of our time.

2023-07-11 16:35

Securing critical mineral supply chains

Securing supply chains for critical minerals has emerged as one of the most challenging economic security issues. Critical minerals are essential for sustainable industrial competitiveness given industrial structures that need critical materials. Take for example semiconductors and batteries. Semiconductors need critical minerals such as gallium and germanium. For battery manufacturing, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite are crucial. Critical minerals are also essential for carbon neutrality and the clean energy transition.

2023-06-13 16:35

Korea's steps closer to becoming global pivotal state goal by presence at Hiroshima G7

The 49th G7 summit 2023 is held today in Hiroshima, Japan until May 21. President Yoon Suk Yeol has been invited to this G7 Summit. This is the fourth time for Korea's president to be invited to attend such a meeting after the Hokkaido Toyako G8 2008, L'Aquila G8 2009 and Cornwall G7 2021.

2023-05-18 16:35

Investing in forward-looking Korea-U.S. alliance

A Korean president's visit to Washington, D.C., always draws the heavy attention of the nation and those from all walks of life. The visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol to the United States raised the expectations of the Korean people as it was only the second state visit of the Biden-Harris administration and the first of such in 12 years for a Korean president, especially to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

2023-05-02 17:37

Busan committed to transforming our world, navigating toward a better future

The Enquiry Mission of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is in Korea to examine and assess Korea's candidature to organize the World Expo in 2030 in Busan under the theme of Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future. It is a most critical step in the lead-up to the election of the host country by the 171 member nations during the 173rd General Assembly of the BIE.

2023-04-04 16:40

Making the Korean economy more resilient

Last week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its global growth forecast for 2023 slightly from the previous 2.7 percent last October to 2.9 percent on the back of decreasing inflation and China's earlier-than-expected re-opening. The Korean economy seems a misfit to this global growth scenario, being the only major economy whose growth forecast was adjusted downward from 2.0 percent to 1.7 percent during the same period.

2023-02-12 16:50

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